Following a design philosophy from landscape designer and good friend Rodney Cornejo: “Anything that’s in your backyard, you just have to enhance it,” homeowner Jing devoted her energy into developing a property in the outskirts of Iligan City to a blooming farm and a restful place of tranquil relaxation for her family.

The property begins at a gate that opens up to a dirt road, winding through what is now a grove of blooming fruit trees. At the end of the driveway is a two-storey concrete house with a gable roof. Details like slim tree trunks for balcony railings and stone claddings give the house a distinctly rustic nuance and enhance its character. Inside, the living and dining areas are both designed to let plenty of light in, and to showcase the natural view. From the living area, a wooden deck leads down to a clear stream flowing beside the house. The backyard, once overgrown with cogon grass and boulders stained with moss, is now a blooming farm of trees such as durian, jackfruit, mangosteen, rambutan, pomelo, star apple, and avocado, to name a few.

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The interiors also follow the same design philosophy as a wooden deck that leads to a stream is repurposed from an old wharf, the dining area’s light fixture is a repurposed banca and the coffee table was once a horse’s drinking trough. With a little creativity, a little out-of-the-box thinking and patience, Jing has made this place serene and unique – perfect for a family retreat.

Original article by Amillah Rodil. Photographed by Anton Sheker.

Read the original article (“Water Runs Through It”) in the May 2006 issue of Real Living Magazine. To download a digital copy of Real Living Magazine, visit Summit Newsstand at https://summitnewsstand.com.ph/real-living.